Nephrology

Consultation, evaluation, and treatment for children with kidney problems are provided by the Nephrology Division on an inpatient and outpatient basis. The division emphasizes the care of young patients with urinary tract infections, fluid-electrolyte and acid-base disorders, renal insufficiency, hypertension, diabetes-related kidney problems, congenital kidney abnormalities, kidney stones, bone and mineral disorders, and other acute and chronic renal conditions. The Division offers acute dialysis (peritoneal and hemodialysis), continuous renal replacement therapy, and charcoal hemofiltration. The End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) program includes chronic dialysis and renal transplantation. The division has a particular interest and expertise in the treatment of infants with end stage renal disease. A multi-disciplinary approach to patient care is offered to all patients. The Division participates in the North American Pediatric Renal Transplant Cooperative Study (NAPRTCS), which uses a state-of-the-art clinical approach for the treatment of pediatric patients with end stage renal disease. Prenatal renal counseling is also available for women carrying fetuses with congenital kidney abnormalities including cystic kidney diseases and hydronephrosis.

Services Available:

Acute and chronic dialysis (hemodialysis and peritoneal)
Continuous arteriovenous/venovenous hemofiltration/hemodiafiltration
Prenatal renal counseling
Assessment of kidney function and structure
Kidney biopsy
Kidney transplantation
Bone and mineral clinic
Hypertension clinic
Multi-disciplinary renal clinic
Nephrology-rheumatology clinic

Typical Diagnoses/Problems:

Acute renal failure
Chronic renal failure and end stage renal disease
Congenital genitourinary tract anomalies
Hematuria and proteinuria
Nephrotic syndrome and glomerulonephritis
Hypertension
Kidney stones
Urinary tract infections
Cystic kidney disease
Fanconi syndrome
Dialysis and transplantation
Lupus-induced kidney disease
Drug-related kidney disorders
Osteoporosis and rickets

Additional Resources:

The Nephrology Division provides educational literature to all nephrology patients and their families. For dialysis patients, the Division invites families to learn about the dialysis process during an individualized information session hosted by a nephrologist and a dialysis nurse.

The National Kidney Foundations Web site also provides information about kidney disease.